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NBA World Erupts As Lakers Select Bronny James in Second Round of 2024 Draft
For months leading up to the 2024 NBA draft, it felt inevitable that USC guard Bronny James would end up playing alongside his father, LeBron James, on the Los Angeles Lakers.
It became official on Thursday afternoon. The Lakers used their only pick of the second round, No. 55, to select the 19-year-old James. LeBron and Bronny will become the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time—and now they get to do so on the same team.
Although the James family wasn't present at the ESPN studios in New York City for the second round of the draft to address Bronny's big day, there were plenty of reactions on social media from fellow players, media members and fans alike:
BRON Getting To See His Son In The Same Jersey As Him Gotta Be The Biggest FLEX 💪🏽 Shoutout BRONNY!!!!!
— Dejounte Murray (@DejounteMurray) June 27, 2024
LeBron James and Bronny James become the first father and son duo to be in the NBA at the same time.
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
Now they are teammates on the Lakers! pic.twitter.com/dITQ4WQ9RA
LeBron and Bronny in 2007. 👑 pic.twitter.com/TwCvYSmqNH
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) June 27, 2024
Bronny on the phone with his mom after getting drafted pic.twitter.com/ZhwbTLvC1m
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) June 27, 2024
The journey continues. Welcome to the big stage, Bronny. pic.twitter.com/XaueRuN78B
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) June 27, 2024
Pretty cool man. First father son duo to play in the NBA. As a father, that has to be the best feeling in the world. Congrats to Bronny l!
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) June 27, 2024
LeBron James has earned the right to make what just happened happen. He will play professional basketball with his oldest son, who was born to play with his father. Bronny's game perfectly complements LeBron's. 3&D. High IQ, low ego. Shares dad's feel for the game. Can't wait.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 27, 2024
When LeBron catch Bronny tryna sneak in the Lakers team hotel past curfew pic.twitter.com/ic4SprAcRR
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) June 27, 2024
Bronny James will get the first chance to showcase his talent in a Lakers uniform during the NBA Summer League in July.
Tom Dierberger is a staff writer and editor on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in November 2023 after stints at FOX Sports, Bally Sports and NBC Sports. Dierberger has a bachelor's in communication from St. John's University. In his spare time, he can be seen throwing out his arm while playing fetch with his dog, Walter B. Boy.